I’ll be frank: when I was a kid, I was a little bit of a monster when it came to taking my vitamins and supplements.
Though for a long time I was a champ and took a bunch of full-sized pills, there came a time when I decided to be a little shit about it. When left unattended, I would pretend I took them and hide my least favorites in random places—like my sock drawer.
To be fair, I took a lot of them. Like, a lot. Every morning my dad would line them up for me, waiting with a glass of milk and a bowl of cereal (or, on special occasions, cinnamon-sugar toast). It was a full roster: a multivitamin (for a long time it was the chalky Flintstone option), calcium, magnesium, vitamin B, and Centrum. This was a daily practice in elementary school through high school.
When I think about it now, I can’t help but think about how great my parents were. They were so adamant about my health and prosperity. And me? I was just such a sneaky brat about it, for no reason. As memory serves, I was a mostly tame and obedient daughter, but I guess I found my wave of rebellion through my anti-vitamin stance.
Things Have Changed
When I went to college, I stopped taking vitamins for several reasons. One, I had less space to hide them. (I kid.) Mostly, it boiled down to expense, and a realization that they came pretty low on my priority list.
Around last year, after getting married, finding a stable job, and getting real about my health habits, I realized that those years of vitamin consumption were such a valuable asset to my overall well-being. Both of my parents are rock stars about taking supplements (especially my mom), so I decided to follow their lead (finally) and get serious about it. I bought the essentials and started taking them daily.
That lasted for about a month.
But now, a year and a half later, I’ve once again recommitted. I’m back on the health train and making choices that will benefit me both in the present and in the long-run. I’m very human and fade in and out of phases like crazy, but I’m in the process of sticking to my goals.
My Go-To Vitamins and Supplements
So, here are my current vitamins of choice. (None of these are sponsored, gifted, or link-affiliated. I’m not that big of a deal.)
1. Calcium, bought on Amazon
Since I stopped drinking milk (the saddest thing EVER, since I absolutely love milk and could drink glasses and glasses of it all the time, if only my body could handle dairy), I needed a way to supplement calcium. Thus, this is the best solution. I went with the Nature Made brand.
2. Super B Complex, bought at the grocery store
After doing some research, I discovered that vitamin B is pretty important for women. It’s meant to boost energy, which I’m here for. My one complaint is that this pill is stinky, and I hate opening the bottle to that stench every day. Check out your local grocery or health food store to find this supplement.
3. Alani Nu’s Balance, bought on their website
This product has come highly recommended by several different women in regards to clearer skin, mood enhancement, hormonal balance, weight management, and increased fertility (though that’s not exactly (or at all) what I’m looking for). So far, I’m loving this supplement and its very visible affects on my skin and mood.
4. Multi-vitamin, bought on Amazon
I wanted an overall multi-vitamin to ensure that I’m getting everything I need that I’m forgetting about, so I chose a women’s gummy. This one’s my favorite. Flintstone Vitamin’s walked so this bad boy could run. You can find this kind of supplement at just about any grocery or health food store, whether it’s a generic brand or Vitavision.
5. Hair, Skin, Nails, bought on Amazon
When my hair was growing out of a cute short hair cut, I panicked and bought this gummy vitamin. After running out I haven’t re-purchased them, but I did really enjoy this supplement. I’d highly recommend it if you are wanting to boost the health of your hair, skin, and nails.
If you have any must-take vitamins and supplements recommendations, let me know! I’m always interested in learning more. Also, shout out to my mom and dad, who were 100% right about vitamins. I’m sorry it took me so long to see the light. 🙂
I hadn’t actually taken any vitamins at all until recently – I take Vit C and Vit D, both for Seasonal Affective Disorder. I don’t know where you live but here in the UK we have barely any strong sunshine in the winter which makes my SAD awful, so Vit D pills really help when I can’t get it from a natural source! I’m thinking also of taking melatonin, as I’ve heard that’s good for migraines and insomnia.
I’m really fortunate to live in Colorado, where we get about 360 days of sunshine a year. I have a friend, though, that lives in the season darkness of Alaska, so I know exactly what you’re talking about! I will have to look into melatonin for my husband’s sleep issues, thanks for mentioning it! Thank you very much for reading and commenting.
Because I’m vegan I take omega 3, iron and B-complex, but once my diet is more balanced I think I’ll be able to stop taking them (except B12)
Ash | thisdreamsalive.com
That’s super helpful! I am always curious to know about supplemented vitamins for different vitamins. Thanks for reading and sharing. 🙂
If I’m taking the alani nu Balance and stress supplements can I take like a multivitamin or b12 vitamin with it?
I was doing so myself, so I imagine that you can! I would always recommend asking a health professional if you’re concerned, though.
Extraordinary data. Nutrients are one of the better plans to manage eye issues. Much obliged for the important blog. Keep it up. In case I’m taking the Alani nu equalization and stress enhancements would i be able to take like a multivitamin or b12 nutrient with it?